Charles Napier
Acting
- Born:
- 1936-04-12
- Died:
- 2011-10-05
- Place of birth:
- Scottsville, Kentucky, USA
Biography
Charles Lewis Napier (April 12, 1936 – October 5, 2011) was a prolific American actor known for his many supporting and occasional leading roles in television and film. Born near Scottsville, Kentucky, Napier served in the U.S. Army before pursuing higher education, earning a degree in art from Western Kentucky University. He initially worked as a sports coach and art teacher before dedicating himself to acting. Napier gained early attention after starring in several low-budget films by director Russ Meyer, including his debut in Cherry, Harry & Raquel! (1969). He became well-known for his portrayal of tough, authoritative characters such as police officers, soldiers, and villains often with a rugged or corrupt edge. Among his memorable roles are the short-tempered country singer Tucker McElroy in The Blues Brothers (1980), CIA officer Marshall Murdock in Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985), and multiple collaborations with director Jonathan Demme in films like The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Philadelphia (1993). He also had notable appearances in television, including roles in The A-Team, The Oregon Trail, Star Trek: The Original Series, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Napier was appreciated for his strong voice, steely gaze, and distinct broad chin, which made him a standout character actor. Napier passed away in 2011 in Bakersfield, California, due to thrombosis at the age of 75. He also published a book about his life titled Square Jaw and Big Heart
Known For
Filmography
Archer
Shadowheart
Life Blood
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard
One-Eyed Monster
Black Crescent Moon
Your Name Here
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide: Field Trips, Permission Slips, Signs, and Weasels
Annapolis
The Kid & I
Squidbillies
Suits on the Loose
Fielder's Choice
Lords of Dogtown
Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide
The Batman
Justice League Unlimited
The Manchurian Candidate
The 4400
Dinocroc
Cold Case
The Thief & the Stripper
Monk
We Get to Win This Time
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Down 'n Dirty
The Legend of Tarzan
Extreme Honor
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Very Mean Men
Never Look Back
Son of the Beach
God, the Devil and Bob
The Big Tease
Pirates of the Plain
The Hunter's Moon
Roswell
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Lima: Breaking the Silence
The Magician
Cypress Edge
Beloved
Second Chances
Hercules
Armstrong
Death on the Oregon Trail
Alien Species
Centurion Force
No Small Ways
Men in Black: The Series
George & Leo
Steel
Hollywood Rated 'R'
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
The Practice
Macon County Jail
Riot
Superman: The Animated Series
The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest
The Cable Guy
Limp Fangs: The Adventures of Count Malt Liquela
Original Gangstas
Pacific Blue
Felony
Expert Witness
Billy Lone Bear
Hard Justice
Max Is Missing
Jury Duty
3 Ninjas Knuckle Up
Ballistic
Fatal Pursuit
Ripper Man
Twisted Fate
Savage Land
Party of Five
Jailbreakers
Silk Degrees
Raw Justice
To Die, to Sleep
Rebel Highway
Body Shot
The Critic
Silent Fury
Philadelphia
Diagnosis: Murder
Skeeter
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Body Bags
Walker, Texas Ranger
National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Killer Instinct
Frogtown II
Renegade
The Golden Palace
Mean Tricks
Center of the Web
Treacherous Crossing
Eyes of the Beholder
Lonely Hearts
Soldier's Fortune
Rugrats
After the Condor
Indio 2 - The Revolt
The Silence of the Lambs
Under Surveillance
Cop Target
The Grifters
Future Zone
Maniac Cop 2
Dragonfight
Miami Blues
Ernest Goes to Jail
The Last Match
The Simpsons
Alien from the Deep
One Man Force
Hit List
Coach
Paradise
Married to the Mob
Kidnapped
The Incredible Hulk Returns
Deep Space
Bush Shrink
Outlaws
Something Wild
Body Count
Instant Justice
L.A. Law
The Night Stalker
Blacke's Magic
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Street Hawk
The Cartier Affair
Murder, She Wrote
The Outlaws
Swing Shift
Night Court
China Lake
Gun Shy
The A-Team
The Blue and the Gray
Wacko
Knight Rider
Tales of the Gold Monkey
Simon & Simon
Gridlock
Melvin and Howard
The Blues Brothers
Last Embrace
B. J. and the Bear
Big Bob Johnson and His Fantastic Speed Circus
Dallas
The Incredible Hulk
The Oregon Trail
CHiPs
Thunder and Lightning
Ransom for Alice!
Citizens Band
The Flying Misfits
Baa Baa Black Sheep
Delvecchio
Starsky & Hutch
Supervixens
Baretta
The Rockford Files
Kojak
Moonfire
The Streets of San Francisco
The Rookies
The Seven Minutes
Love and Kisses
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Cherry, Harry & Raquel!
The House Near the Prado
The Hanging of Jake Ellis
The Mod Squad
Mannix
Mission: Impossible
Star Trek
Hogan's Heroes